noun
legionnaire
lee-juh-NAIR/ˌliːdʒəˈner/
A member of a military body called a legion.
The legionnaire stands guard at the entrance to the camp.
Etymology
The membership ending turns légion, the name of a military body, into a word for an individual soldier belonging to it.
In context
St. Demetrius was a military saint, a Byzantine saint, a former legionnaire in the Roman legions who left the army, abandoned the army, and converted to Christianity.
More examples
- A retired legionnaire describes his service in the French Foreign Legion.
- Two legionnaires carry supplies back to their unit.
- Each legionnaire at the American Legion post welcomes returning veterans.
Forms
legionnaire · legionnaires
legion noun — A military body or veterans’ organization.
Similar words
- legionary
- Usually refers to a soldier in an ancient Roman legion.
- soldier
- A broader term for someone serving in an army.